First DCL cruise questions

[DPC]

Boy am I glad I found this forum! I have been watching the hurricane activity as our 9/25 Magic cruise fast approaches and I ran across this board. I have found an incredible amount of information here. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
My DS's ( ages 6 and almost 10 ), my mom and I will be on this trip. My mom is a seasoned cruiser and I have been on one cruise (Princess). It will be a first for my boys.
I am left with just a couple silly questions that I am hoping someone can answer for me:
1. Should I bring my two-way radios? Are they allowed? Do they work on the boat/islands? (mine have a 5 mile radius) If you brought yours, did you use them? My boys have a big enough age difference (and activity interests) between them that I imagine I will have one with me and mom will take the other.

2. Amenities - I assume they provide soap, shampoo, etc in the rooms. Is the shampoo a baby (tear -free) type?

3. Do they allow small inflatable swim rings, beach balls, etc. at the pools?

4. I understand the dress code for dinner, but for small children it is kind of vague. It is very difficult to find "dress" clothes for little boys. I know shorts aren't allowed, but could a child wear bermuda type dress shorts and a tucked in polo type button down shirt? Just wondering...

Again , thanks for all the great advice!

 

[TheWog]

Welcome!!

I can answer some of your questions. As far as radios I saw many people with them, but they did not work too well from the middle of the ship to the outside. Lots of metal. Imagine they would work on the islands. You will also be provided pagers by Disney, so if they are in a club and you are needed they will page you and you can go right down. Pagers do not work off the ship on the islands.

Yes, they have soap, shampoo etc. I do not believe it is a tear free version. I think it is a shampoo/conditioner combo. They also have hand lotions. Very small amount in each container.

I don't know if they do not allow the rings, etc, but there is really no place to use them. You can definitely bring your own for Castaway Cay, but the pools are really too small to enjoy them. The Mickey pool is only about 18 inches deep and sometimes very crowded. If you plan on using them in the Goofy pool on a port day you may be ok.

My DS6 wore polo shirts and shorts to most dinners, with pants the formal nights. He was fine. Your older son, you may want to have pants for each night of dinner. As long as they are "presentable" you will be fine.

Have a great time.

 

[traycie2201]

Welcome, there are no silly questions, just ones you have'nt learnt the answer to yet

First have a lovely holiday on a magical cruise, we'll be going just after you.

Questions 1 - Yes you can, they normally work but you will get pagers from the kids clubs too. Better to have them and not need them than the other way round.

2 - They do have supplies in the rooms , not sure if they are tear free.

3 - Doubt it the pools are pretty small but you can certainly use them on castaway cay.

4 - For 6 & 10 year olds i'm pretty sure pants and shirts are expected for formal and polo style shirts and pants for casual , no shorts are allowed except in topsiders casual dining. It's generally okay for toddlers i believe but no older.

I'm sure you'll get more answers from seasoned cruisers who have more info. Again have a great cruise.

 

[mmouse37]

DPC.....first off....welcome to the cruise boards....I am delighted to say that we will sailing on the 9/25 Magic as well. We have sailed 10 times before on DCL and next week will be #11!! It gets very addictive!!!

We always bring our own shampoo/conditioner because I just do not like what is onboard....I usually take the cute Mickey bottles home with me to keep for emergencies!!!

If your hair is long or thick bring your own hair dryer with an extension cord. The ones onboard are in the bathroom...the type that hang on the wall and do not do well with long or thick hair. My hair dryer has one of those big black plugs and that kind doesn't fit well in the outlet that is in the cabin by the desk...hence the need for the extension cord.

What you described for your sons to wear should be fine....

Pools are small but you can certainly bring your own to use at any beach you go to in any of the ports.

Please check out this link....it is to the 9/25 cruise meets thread. Come over and say hi and meet all the others sailing on that day!!! We are also having a meet and greet with everyone sailing at 3:30 outside of Studio Sea...it is a great way to meet other Disboard folks....no commitments....just to say hi and know a familiar face all week if you happen to run into them!!!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=506237

MJ